The First Thing You Must Do Immediately After A Stroke: Critical Steps

Marie N. Herzberg
3 min readOct 4, 2024

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The First Thing You Must Do Immediately After A Stroke

Strokes can be scary. They happen suddenly and need quick action. The first thing you must do immediately after a stroke is to call emergency services. Time is very important. The faster you get help, the better your chances of recovery.

Strokes happen when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. This can cause brain cells to die. When brain cells die, the person can lose some abilities. These could be speaking, moving, or understanding. Quick help can save these abilities.

Recognizing a Stroke

To help someone having a stroke, you need to know the signs. Here are some signs of a stroke:

  • Face drooping: One side of the face may droop or feel numb.
  • Arm weakness: One arm may feel weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Speech difficulty: The person may have trouble speaking or be hard to understand. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
The First Thing You Must Do Immediately After A Stroke: Critical Steps
The First Thing You Must Do Immediately After A Stroke: Critical Steps

Act FAST

Remember the word FAST. It helps you remember the signs and what to do:

Letter Meaning F Face Drooping A Arm Weakness S Speech Difficulty T Time to call emergency services

What to Do While Waiting for Help

While waiting for help to arrive, there are things you can do:

  • Keep the person safe and comfortable.
  • Do not give them food, drink, or medicine.
  • Note the time when the stroke signs started.

Why Quick Action Matters

Quick action can save brain cells. It can also save the person’s abilities. If treatment starts within three hours, the person has a better chance of recovery.

About Our Project

We created this project to help people take care of themselves and their loved ones when medical assistance is unavailable or while waiting for it to arrive. We are a team of three people: Dr. Maybell Nieves, Dr. Rodrigo Alterio, and Claude Davis.

Dr. Maybell Nieves

Dr. Maybell Nieves is a breast and general surgeon. She is the head surgeon of the Unit of Breast Pathology at Caracas University Hospital in Venezuela. Dr. Maybell studied at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy. She developed new methods of treating patients after Venezuela’s economy collapsed. These methods are now used in conflict zones all over the world.

Dr. Rodrigo Alterio

Dr. Rodrigo Alterio is a surgical oncologist. He works at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. In 2017, he lived with an indigenous community in the Amazon jungle. There were no hospitals or pharmacies. He used traditional methods and whatever he had on hand to help people.

Claude Davis

Claude Davis is a wild-west history expert and survival expert. He believes in being prepared for crises. He has studied and applied the survival knowledge of our great grandparents.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower every household to take their health into their own hands when needed. We do not recommend using our guide as the first line of defense if the medical system is available. However, we do recommend it to people who want to be more prepared and self-reliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should You Do First After A Stroke?

Call emergency services immediately. Time is critical.

How To Recognize Stroke Symptoms Fast?

Look for sudden numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, or severe headache.

Why Is Time Crucial After A Stroke?

Quick treatment reduces brain damage and improves recovery chances.

Can You Prevent Further Damage During A Stroke?

Yes, by seeking immediate medical help.

Conclusion

Remember, the first thing you must do immediately after a stroke is to call emergency services. Quick action can save lives and abilities. While waiting for help, keep the person safe and note the time the stroke signs started. For more information, visit our guide.

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